Reliable chains and sprockets

A chain is a series of connected links that transfers rotational power from one shaft to another, while a sprocket is the toothed wheel the chain wraps around to convert that power into motion without slipping. BEGE supplies both sides of this combination, including roller chains, hollow pin chains, conveyor chains, and leaf chains, together with matching sprockets, platewheels, and clamping bush sprockets.

The chain and sprocket need to be matched correctly, since an incorrect pairing increases wear and shortens service life on both parts. BEGE always recommends the correct chain and sprocket combination up front to keep wear low and service life long.

BEGE covers four chain types and four sprocket types, each built for a different load, environment, or installation method. The table below lists the applicable standard, size range, material, and typical use for each series, making it easier to identify the right starting point before requesting a quote.

BEGE’s stainless steel chains and sprockets are made from high-grade stainless steel, which keeps them food-safe and compliant with strict hygiene standards. This makes INOX sprockets and gears suitable for food-processing machinery handling sugar, cakes, bread, and canned goods, as well as packaging and bottling lines, meat processing, bakeries, and smokers.

Stainless steel gears and sprockets resist the corrosion that regular washdown cycles and food acids would otherwise cause in standard steel components. For any chain drive with direct or indirect food contact, stainless steel is the material to specify from the start.

BEGE’s KWK plastic sprockets run without lubrication, which removes a maintenance step that steel sprockets typically require to prevent wear. Built from glass-fibre reinforced polyamide, they perform well in wet and abrasive environments where lubricant would attract dirt or wash away quickly. The lighter weight also reduces noise and rotating mass compared to a steel equivalent of the same tooth count. Steel sprockets remain the stronger choice for higher loads, so the decision comes down to load requirements versus environment and maintenance preference.

Chain drives from BEGE serve mechanical engineering, logistics, and food processing, alongside broader applications in robotics and other industrial sectors.

In mechanical engineering, chains and sprockets power conveyors, lifting mechanisms, and automation lines where precise, reliable power transmission is essential. In logistics, drive chains, conveyor chains, and lifting chains move products through warehouses and distribution centers and support loading and unloading operations under heavy loads. In food processing, stainless steel chains and sprockets handle direct contact with sugar, bread, canned goods, and meat products under strict hygiene rules.

Start with the load and application type: roller chains suit general power transmission, conveyor chains handle heavy loads, and leaf chains are built specifically for lifting applications such as forklifts.

Match the chain pitch and standard, whether DIN or ANSI, to the sprocket’s tooth count and bore size, since an unmatched pair increases wear and shortens service life.

Factor in the environment next: stainless steel for hygiene-sensitive settings, plastic sprockets for wet or abrasive conditions without lubrication, and standard steel for general industrial use.

Installation method matters too, since clamping bush sprockets allow quick replacement with minimal downtime compared to a standard bore-and-key sprocket.

Yes. BEGE adjusts chains to a specific length, fits them with special flights, and modifies standard sprockets with a different bore or a tapped hole to meet requirements outside the standard catalogue.

Custom sprocket and platewheel options include a keyway, increased wear resistance, a special surface finish, and unique tooth configurations.

Custom chain options include ratchet, inner, and locking links, reducer and connecting links, and application-specific flights.

This custom capability sits on top of the standard range, so a production process is not limited to off-the-shelf dimensions when a project calls for something specific.

BEGE maintains a very large inventory of chains and sprockets, which supports immediate delivery and a short time-to-market compared to sourcing chains and sprockets from separate suppliers. The range covers high-quality TYC chains and precision-manufactured sprockets engineered to mesh seamlessly together, rather than components sourced independently and matched after the fact. Standard and custom options are available side by side, backed by technical advice on the correct chain and sprocket pairing for a specific load and environment. For a drive system that needs both reliable stock availability and the option of custom parts, sourcing chains and sprockets from one supplier reduces coordination risk.